If you suffer from panic attacks, you’ve probably been told by others to take medication, go to therapy, or try and find coping mechanisms to avoid panic situations. This can be effective if you are able to identify your problem and learn techniques to use when it rears its head, but what about when panic attacks happen on their own? Or when no one is around to help?
A panic attack is a sudden, intense episode of extreme fear that causes severe physical responses when there isn’t any apparent threat or obvious cause. These can include increased heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and trembling. When panic attacks happen, you may feel like you are losing control, having a stroke or a heart attack, or that you are going crazy. Many people experience several panic attacks throughout their lifetime, which can lead to serious psychological problems and eventually, a form of depression called generalized panic disorder.
Symptoms of panic attacks typically only last a few minutes, although they may go on for hours. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, while others will have symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, trembling, dizziness, hot flashes, dry mouth, or a rapid, pounding heartbeat. In rare cases, these symptoms can develop into a full-blown life-threatening medical emergency. Some symptoms of panic attacks typically only last a few minutes, while others may go on for hours. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may experience several during a single day.
If you experience panic attacks, you need to seek medical help. It is possible to live a normal, healthy, stress-free life with anxiety and panic disorder. However, there are also people who need to get treatment as soon as possible. When a person begins to experience panic attacks, he or she generally feels intense fear and is in immediate danger. This is often times accompanied by hyperventilation, a rapid heart rate, numbness in the hands and feet, difficulty thinking or concentrating, shakiness, dizziness, and nausea.
Panic attack symptoms usually include one or more of the following: extreme fear, intense wave of terror, shaking, trembling, trouble breathing, choking feeling, chocking sensation, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, feeling very light headed, shortness of breath, extreme confusion, and an overwhelming sense of danger. People who experience these symptoms need to get help as soon as possible. If left untreated, a panic attack could cause very serious physical health issues and even death.
There are several things that you can do to reduce the intensity of your fear and reduce the possibility of having a panic attack. First, try to relax and take slow deep breaths. You should also try to control your thoughts, and try not to think about what has been bothering you. Some people find it helpful to visualize something relaxing or calming, such as a white flower or deep breathing. Another way to relieve your fear and reduce the chances of having an attack is to talk to someone, either a friend or family member or search for some appropriate articles online that can help you deal with your problem.
Some medications and over-the-counter drugs can also have side effects that may cause symptoms of these attacks. If you are taking aspirin, you should be sure to get medical advice right away if you notice any change in your symptoms. Other medications, such as anti-anxiety medications may cause these symptoms to worsen. Some people have found that reducing caffeine intake can help reduce the frequency of panic attacks.
Some medications, such as benzodiazepines, which are commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, and other similar conditions, may cause these attacks to become more frequent. These medications include Xanax and Klonopin. If you are taking these types of medications, it is important to be aware that there are other ways to treat this problem without using medications. If you are considering other options, it is always important to talk with your doctor.